Srinagar
The J&K administration on Thursday decided to continue with the ban on the high-speed Internet for all mobile phone users in J&K, despite requests by political parties and civil society groups to restore it in the wake on the COVID-19 crisis.
The J&K Home department said the decision to extended the ban till April 3 “was taken after considering the overall security and the reports of the law enforcement agencies inter alia”.
“The Internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only. The post-paid SIM cardholders shall be provided with access to the Internet. However, such access shall not be made available on pre-paid sim cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for post-paid connections,” reads the order.
The decision comes despite local political parties and civil society groups demanding restoration of 4G in the wake of the COVID-19 spread in J&K.
Already almost everybody has sought its restoration – BJP, Congress, PDP, NC, Dr Farooq Abdullah. Omar Abdullah also made the demand after setting his foot outside his sub-jail. Now Omar is angry. He asked why should “we be made like beggars”.
